Puzzles To Remember

PUZZLES TO REMEMBER is a 501(c)3 organization that provides puzzles to nursing homes, veterans facilities, and other facilities that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Dr. Max Wallack founded Puzzles To Remember in 2008, and continues to act as an advisor and mentor. Hailey Richman is the Executive Director of PuzzlesToRemember. Since 2011, Hailey has been distributing puzzles to nursing facilities around the globe. Hailey is also the founder of KidCaregivers.com, where she provides advice for children dealing with dementia in their family members. Hailey has begun an international program called PuzzleTime which involves pairing youth members with people with Alzheimer's for an hour of shared jigsaw puzzle solving. Dr. Max Wallack serves as a mentor to the KidCaregivers program.

If you have puzzles that you would like to donate, please contact us at Puzzles2Remember@gmail.com and we will find a location near you where you can bring your puzzles. We can also provide you with a donation letter so that you can claim the value of your puzzles as a tax deduction.

To see a short video from WCVB Ch. 5 "BOSTON STRONG" about Max's efforts on behalf of Alzheimer's patients, click here.

To see a short video about Hailey's Puzzle Time Program, click here.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

A Review of “Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer’s Disease for Children”

By Max Wallack

Puzzles to Remember

Yesterday, I received this review from Carrie, whose family owns KDYZ International in Singapore. Their company sells toys for children; it also has a wonderful and innovative branch called CARE, Creative Aids and Resources for the Elderly, that sells a variety of toys and tools to aid the elderly, including Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

Here is Carrie's review:

“I read the book three times between 7 am 12 noon today ( in between distractions of breakfast and phone calls.) Twice I read to myself and once to my son (14) and daughter (12). They love them book; they said it's very inspiring and it must be written with love.

And I love it - I also find it even better when I read it out loud!

Next week, I shall read to some preschool children and send you photos and their reactions.

I like that the language is simple, the font is big and clean, with not too many words on one page; illustrations are also relatable.
(The school bus, the messy room with toys)

I like that you interjected some humor (the toothbrush in the toaster), and at the same time , the child is also allowed to feel sad ( Halloween incident) --- it is a subtle and good way to let the child know that it can be a roller coaster journey.

I like that it provides hope (research) and also inspires the child to contribute their individual best to find a cure.

I like that you give simple practical solutions (red plate, door bell) --- I can even create a lesson plan here for kindergarten class.

I like that you explain the disease in simple terms and illustrations (healthy cell/cell with Alzheimer's disease)..

Love it love it.

Well done!

Carrie”

and this morning:

"I just thought about it this morning when i woke up - every school library should have at least one copy if not more!!!!"

Carrie ordered 40 copies for distribution in Singapore!

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Boston University School of Medicine. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Max is also a coauthor of "Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease for Children."

Sunday, September 1, 2013

25,000 Puzzles Have Been Provided to Alzheimer's Patients by PuzzlesToRemember

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

September 1 marks the beginning of Alzheimer's month.

In honor of this date, I have packed 8 large boxes of puzzles to be shipped to nursing facilities this week. I have also found homes for puzzles in an additional 14 facilities in the past week. Two of these were in Australia!

As of today, PuzzlesToRemember has distributed over 25,000 puzzles, at no cost, to nursing facilities. In addition, many, many Springbok PuzzlesToRemember, puzzles that I helped develop, have been sold to caregivers for use at home with their family members.

This November, at least one new Springbok PuzzleToRemember will be available. For some time, people have been asking for a puzzle more suitable for males. In November, we will be making available an Alzheimer's puzzle of sailboats. Other new puzzles may be produced, also.
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Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Boston University School of Medicine. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Max is also an author of "Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease For Children."

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Interview on Lori La Bey's Blog Talk Radio Show

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

This morning I had the wonderful experience of being on Lori La Bey's Blog Talk Radio Show. Lori is obviously a very gifted interviewer and very apt at putting her guests immediately at ease.

I shared this experience with my coauthor, Carolyn Given, and also with Emma Richman, a New York City teacher who has dealt with Alzheimer's disease in her family members. We also had a surprise and welcome call-in from Bob DeMarco, founder of the AlzheimersReadingRoom.com.

Through a lively and interactive conversation, we were able to discuss many aspects of our book "Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease for Children." We even discussed the possibility of a sequel for a slightly older audience.

I also had a chance to talk about my research in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory, as well as my work with PuzzlesToRemember. It was a great experience. You can listen to the show below:

Check Out Health Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Alzheimers Speaks Radio on BlogTalkRadio

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Sunday, August 4, 2013

Fan Mail for "Why Did Granma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's Disease for Children

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember
In Saturday's mail, I received our book's first fan mail from it's foremost intended audience:

I hope this book can inspire a new generation of young caregivers to decide to become scientists.

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Monday, July 22, 2013

Two Reviews of “Why did Grandma Put Her Underwear In the Refrigerator? A Book Explaining Alzheimer’s Disease to Children”

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

by Cheryl L. Wolf:
"I was very impressed with your book"Why did Grandma Put Her Underwear In The Refrigerator? The story about Julie was very sweet and easy for children to follow.The book shows the different stages such as wandering, fears from every day things, and incontinence. I thought the description about the pitcher and the catcher was a really good example of how "grandma" couldn't receive messages like other people. I also thought it was very realistic for Julie's mother to explained that Alzheimer's Disease is NOT contagious. I am sure many children would be concerned about it . I know I probably would have been concerned as well when I was seven years old.

I would highly recommend this book for any child who has a family member with Alzheimer's Disease. I would think Neurologists and Child Psychologists would agree with me about the importance of this book. I also think that Memory Care Units, Adult Day Cares, and schools should carry a copy of this book to share with families. Any child dealing with Alzheimer's Disease like Julie would benefit from reading this explanation of A.D. Again I just want to reiterate how I think this was a fantastic book for children who have a relative with this horrible disease.This book explains in simple terms and yet does not talk down to children."

by Barry G. Wolf:
"Allow me to congratulate you for an exceptional book, providing Alzheimer's disease from a child's perspective. I believe that your book will prove to be a valuable guide for families to explain the dynamics of Alzheimer's disease. Let me add that your personal commitment to solving this ever-growing health crisis is highly commendable and we look forward to watching your professional credentials and accomplishments escalate over time. You are a wonderful person with an extremely bright future. Best wishes to you and your future goals and dreams."
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Friday, July 19, 2013

New Book Explaining Alzheimer's Disease to Children is Reviewed by Dr. Robert Santulli, Geriatric Psychiatrist

By Max Wallack

Puzzles to Remember

The new book, Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? A Book Explaining Alzheimer's Disease to Children, written by Max Wallack and Carolyn Given, has received an excellent review from Dr. Robert Santulli, Geriatric Psychiatrist at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

Dr. Santulli has appraised the book as, "A Terrific New Book For Children."

Here is the content of his review:

"Max Wallack, creator of "Puzzles to Remember", and Carolyn Given have written a new book for young children about Alzheimer's disease. It is clear, well written, with wonderful illustrations. It explains the symptoms of the disease in language that children can understand; shows both the love and occasional frustration and anger that a young child can feel towards a grandmother with the disease, and even talks about the importance of participating clinical trials. I would recommend it highly for any child who must face this disease in a grandparent or other relative. Fifty percent of the book's proceeds will support Alzheimer's research and the care of Alzheimer's patients."

We thank Dr. Santulli for taking his time to review this book, and we hope the book will help many families who are dealing with this disease. You can order the book here:

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at

Boston University School of Medicine. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from

Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Springbok PuzzlesToRemember Give Pleasure to Assisted Living residents ages 80 - 101

By Max Wallack

Puzzles to Remember

Below is a testimonial to how wonderfully the Springbok PuzzlesToRemember are being received. This was submitted by Nelle's (age 101) niece:

I just wanted you to know that your puzzles - the 36 piece for seniors - have been a WONDERFUL thing for my aunt and others at the assisted living. The residents on her floor have a table set up in the hallway where they come to work ONLY your puzzles. The size of the pieces and the sturdiness is a great help for these gals. Most are in their late 80s and one who is 96. May aunt is the oldest at 101! I have include a picture of my aunt Nelle working the “train puzzle”. The gals have Durango Express, Quilting Bee, and Goldfinch. Thank you again for making the day a little brighter for these women who, at this age, are mostly confined. This time together working on your puzzles not only helps with keeping there minds active, but gives them a chance to interact. Sometimes they just come out of their rooms and start working them on their own – and other times several join in. They work them over and over – each time with the same enthusiasm. I am so glad my 101 year old aunt finds pleasure in this activity. I enjoy watching and helping her – but most of the time she can do it on her own.

Here is a really inspiring photo of Nelle:

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at

Boston University School of Medicine. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Puzzles Bring Pleasure in Monterrey, Mexico

By Max Wallack

Puzzles to Remember

With the help of a wonderful, caring woman, Gaby C., I have been able to distribute much needed puzzles to some facilities in Mexico. Gaby not only brings the puzzles to nursing facilities, she brings her family members along and spends time doing the puzzles with the patients. Here are some pictures of Gaby's family members doing puzzles with the patients at Casa de Abuelos (House of Grandparents) in Monterrey, Mexico:

Here are photos of Gaby's family members with the patients at Casa de Reposo (House of Rest):

Thank you, Gaby, for the wonderful thing you are doing, bringing pleasure to these individuals. Your children's smiling faces are a testament to what a great affect this is having on their own lives.

Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry and Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at

Boston University School of Medicine. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

From the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry's eNews:

Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember

AAGP members in the news: Max Wallack

"AAGP's youngest member, Boston University student Max Wallack, was recently featured in an article on BU Today, the university's website. In "A 16-Year-Old Takes on a Disease of the Elderly," Wallack's work at the Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry in Aging at BU's Alzheimer's Disease Center is featured. In March, Wallack presented a poster at the AAGP 2013 Annual Meeting on the role CE inhibitors could play in preventing Alzheimer’s disease."

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Alzheimer’s Program in San Diego

By Max Wallack
Puzzles to Remember
The University City Older Adult Center, in San Diego, offers a great day program for older adults. These adults have the opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy good conversations in a friendly environment.

Here are some of the benefits of this program:

Professional, caring staff
Social, educational, and recreational programs
Nutritionally-balanced kosher lunch
Excellent exercise classes
Sing-a-longs, dances, and live entertainment
Four hours of meaningful and enriching activities for older adults
Appropriate for older adults with early stages of dementia and Alzheimer's

This program operates, at a reasonable fee, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

PuzzlesToRemember recently supplied two of the Springbok PuzzlesToRemember to this program.

Here is the reaction from their activity director:

"The puzzles are terrific, the size, colors, and themes are extraordinary."

Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a picture of a gentleman whose reaction says it all:

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Max Wallack is a student at Boston University and a Research Intern in the Molecular Psychiatry in Aging Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Boston University School of Medicine. His great grandmother, Gertrude, suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Max is the founder of PUZZLES TO REMEMBER. PTR is a project that provides puzzles to nursing homes and veterans institutions that care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.